Only the New York Times could highlight the cross and misinterpret it through the lens of fashion trends.
For more than a millennium, Christians have adorned themselves with the cross, a fundamental symbol of their faith. However, if you read The New York Times last week, you might conclude that displaying historical symbols is a recent fashion revival.
What’s happening?
In an article titled “Hot accessories at the intersection of faith and culture”, author Misty Siddell claims that “cross necklaces are everywhere,” highlighting their popularity among government officials, influencers, and celebrities. The piece suggests that this resurgence of the cross necklace is groundbreaking, leading one to ponder if The New York Times has finally recognized Christianity.
Unless you’re completely out of touch, the premise of this story feels quite odd. This isn’t a freshness in the world of jewelry.
“The message of the cross is stupid for those who are perishing, but for those who are saved, it is the power of God.”
Cross necklaces are not just trendy items; they represent deep significance for Christians. They embody the sacrifice, love, and radical compassion that God demonstrated at the cross through Jesus Christ.
In other words, the meaning of the cross necklace doesn’t necessitate sociological dissection in the New York Times’ “Style” section.
Perhaps the more significant flaw in this “news story” is its failure to explore why Christians have a clear and profound reason for wearing cross necklaces—beyond vague references to “faith.” Therefore, framing cross necklaces as suddenly “fashionable” not only misinterprets the history of fashion but also the essence of Christian belief.
Isn’t this clear?
Here’s the reality: Christians don cross necklaces because they are, quite simply, Christians. There’s no elaborate explanation needed.
Yet, Sidell continues to seek out quirky reasons behind the rise in cross necklace wearers.
For instance, she notes that the “cultural meaning” can be hard to pin down due to varied interpretations across regions, church affiliations, and political viewpoints. She quotes theologian Robert Koboro, who argues that “people bring their meaning to the cross.”
Moreover, Sidell tries to connect this to the Trump administration:
The Trump administration has created a White House faith office to welcome spirituality into the Western Wing. Recently, numerous pastors with Christian nationalist beliefs have visited the White House multiple times.
The cross necklace has, in a sense, become a symbolic choice for President Trump’s second term.
The true story isn’t that cross necklaces are making a fashion comeback.
What’s really compelling is that a major newspaper seems taken aback by the lasting significance of the cross and believes it can only be understood through the filter of fashion.
This is not just a missed opportunity; it’s akin to journalistic negligence.
Rather than treating cross necklaces as merely a fashion statement, the New York Times could have probed into why Christianity seems to be on the decline in America. This approach would have provided a much more insightful narrative, especially in light of the apparent uptick in cross necklace wearers.
Paul’s prophetic message
This article serves as a stark reminder that traditional media often struggles to accurately represent Christianity.
Instead of delving into the profound meanings behind the cross as a symbol, and why Christians wear them with pride, the New York Times simplifies the cross necklace to mere aesthetic trends about “vibes.” It reflects a superficial way of approaching the topic.
If we could consult the apostle Paul, he might suggest that this New York Times story demonstrates that traditional media fails to grasp the essence of Christianity. He reminds us that the media’s understanding of God isn’t reflective of a true God.
Paul writes, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God” (Cor. 1:18).
Clearly, the cross remains foolish to those who don’t comprehend it.
And therein lies the irony of this article. What appears to be a trendy development in jewelry among the New York Times (i.e., “the perishing man”) is, for Christians, a symbol of God’s salvational power.
This isn’t a trend; it’s eternal.
Christians wear the cross to remember their resurrected Christ, the crucified Savior, declaring unabashed loyalty to Him.
The cross isn’t about “style”; it signifies the most compelling story this world has ever encountered.
